8.06.2010

Frugal Friday~

Welcome to this week's edition of Frugal Friday!! Today, I thought I'd share a tutorial with you.And what are we making today, Wendy, you ask? Why, a button wreath, of course!

What you will need:

Lightweight cardboard (I like to collect this so I have it around for various projects...things like the cardboard that comes in folded shirts, large tags from clothing etc.)

Scrapbook paper (ideally this should be the color of the buttons you will be using.)

Two glasses (or other round objects) one smaller than the other.

Pencil

Scissors

Stick glue

Hot glue gun

Hot glue sticks (I went through about 2 of these)

Buttons (lots - I used about 80 or so for my small wreath) I like white vintage buttons best, but you could use any color and you can buy them new - of course.

Ribbon

INSTRUCTIONS:

Using the stick glue, start by gluing the scrapbook paper to the cardboard. Remember, stick glue is your friend...be very generous.

Using a pencil, trace the rims of the glasses onto the paper. The larger glass outside and the smaller glass inside to create a wreath form.

Cut out the wreath form. If you're the perfectionist-type you can gently sand the edges so they are smooth (using a sanding block), but keep in mind that they will be 90% hidden by the buttons.

Now comes the fun part. Gather your buttons. I like to sort them into sizes before I get started gluing...makes the whole gluing process a little easier.

Start by gluing a layer of large buttons to the form.

Now glue a layer of slightly smaller buttons on top of the larger ones, staggering them to cover the spaces between the larger buttons.NOTE: I like to play around with where I will put the buttons because I want to vary the shades of the buttons...especially when using white buttons, because it creates more texture and interest.

Continue gluing on buttons using smaller buttons each layer, and filling in the blank open spaces. This will create a rounded effect. Then I go back and add smaller buttons to the empty spaces left on the edge between the large buttons in the first layer. (That description is about as clear as mud, but hopefully, you get what I mean.)

And that's it! Loop a pretty length of grosgrain ribbon around the top and tie with a bow...then hang it somewhere that will make you smile when you look at it.

So simple...so pretty!

Now it's your turn.

You know "da rules'...

1. Please link directly to your post, and not just to your blog.

2. Please link back to The Shabby Nest (feel free to grab the button on my sidebar) so that others can enjoy the frugal goodness.

I'm SOO in love with this!! My grandma had a huge old tin full of buttons that I used to sit and run my hands through when I was little so anything 'buttons' has such great memories for me! I'm saving up and searching for enough to make one of these!! Thanks!!

Hi Wendy! I haven't been able to visit in so long, but I am so glad I picked today to check things out. What a fabulous gift idea! Thanks for the tutorial and I cannot wait to go visit the other great ideas.

Thanks for a super tutorial! I have sooooo many "ordinary" buttons from deconstructing shirts and other stuff. They're all in a jar, looking boring. I'm absolutely going to make some of these - small ones would be adorable as Christmas ornaments or tied to a gift package, don't you think? :-)

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